Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Fussen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and as an honor to Richar Wagner. Contrary to popular belief, King Ludwig II ofBavaria, Germany paid for the Neuschwanstein Castle out of his personal wealth and extensive borrowing, and not with the use of Bavarian public funds.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The Neuschwanstein Castle was built as a personal refuge for the reclusive king of Bavaria, Germany. But it was soon opened to the paying public after the king’s death in 1886. Since then, there was over 60 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle, more than 1.3 million people visit annually with up to 6,000 people per day during the summer.

Neuschwanstein Castle’s gatehouse

Neuschwanstein Castle: Bower (left), Palasfront, and Knights’ House (right)

Neuschwanstein is a German word which means New Swan Stone Palace. The Neuschwanstein Castle was built during the 19th century on top of a hill in Bavaria, Germany. It was considered as the largest photographed building in Germany even though the interiors of the castle cannot be photographed. The Neuschwanstein Castle is also said to be one of the most famous tourist attractions in Germany, because of its scenic beauty and gorgeous surroundings.

History of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle under construction, 1886

During the rule of King Ludwig II in Bavaria, Germany, visitors were not allowed inside the Neuschwanstein Castle. It was only after his untimely death in 1886 that the castle was opened for all to view. And as time goes by, the tourism of the castle goes up to 60 million people who have visited the Neuschwanstein Castle.

 Location of the  Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Hall of the Singers in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Corridor in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The municipality of Schwangau lies at an elevation of 800 meters or 2,260 feet at the south west border of Bavaria, Germany. Its surroundings are characterized by the transition between the Alpine foothills in the south (towards the nearby Austrian border) and a hilly landscape in the north that appears to be flat by comparison. During the Middle Ages, there are three castles which overlooked the villages.

The throne hall in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The first castle was called the Schwanstein Castle. In the year 1932, King Ludwig II’s father King Maximilian II of Bavaria bought its ruins to replace them by the comfortable neo-Gothic castle known as the Hohenschwangau Castle. The Schwanstein Castle was established in 1837, the palace became King Maximilian II’s family summer residence and his elder son Ludwig II (who was born in 1845) spent a large part of his childhood here.

Drawing room in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The two other castles which overlooked the villages are the Hinterhohenschwangau Castle and the Vorderhohenschwangau Castle. Both castles situated on a rugged hill overlooking the Schwantstein Castle, two nearby lakes (the Alpsee and Schwansee) and the village. Separated only by a moat, the two castles have fortified tower, a hall and a keep. During the 19th century, only the ruins remained of the medieval twin castles, but those of  Hinterhohenschwangau served as a lookout place that is now known as Sylphenturm.

Drawing room in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

The ruins above the family palace were known to the crown prince from his excursions. Ludwig first sketched one of them in his diary in 1859. When the young king came to power in the year 1864, the construction of a new palace in place of the two ruined castles became the first in his series of palace building projects.  King Ludwig II himself named the new palace the “New Hohenschwangau Castle,” but only after his death was it renamed to  Neuschwanstein. The confusing result is that both Hohenschwangau Castle and Schwanstein Castle have effectively swapped names, Hohenschwangau Castle replaced the ruins of the Schwanstein Castle and the Neuschawnsetin Castle replaced the ruins of the two Hohenschwangau Castles.

Dining room in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Bedroom in Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Hollywood features the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle front view

The  Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany has so much of a charm that even Hollywood could not lay its hands off it. The castle was featured in several Disney animated movies, the  Neuschwanstein Castle was an inspiration to the Cinderella Castle, Sleeping Beauty Castle and Tokyo Disneyland.

Tourists Information

Locals and international tourists visit the  Neuschwanstein Castle every day. The castle is a property of Bavaria, the region has spent more than 14.5 million dollars in its safeguarding and renovation. The  Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany has a lot of magical charm to it. Since photography is not allowed inside the castle, most tourists take back with them sweet and pleasant memories of this magical palace. A quick tour to the  Neuschwanstein Castle is a must if you are taking a tour of Germany.